Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Total Tejon Ranch Co.'s Stockholders' Equity	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 173,306	$ 8,493	$ 123,193	$ (2,797)	$ 44,417	$ 173,306
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		16,986,770
Net income (loss)	(3,433)				(3,377)	(3,377)	(56)
Changes in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $33 for 2011, $1 for 2010 and $746 for 2009	1,128			1,128		1,128
Benefit plan adjustments, net of taxes of $1,026 for 2011, $206 for 2010 and $179 for 2009	(394)			(394)		(394)
SERP liability adjustment, net of taxes $727 for 2011, $248 for 2010 and $44 for 2009	66			66		66
Equity in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated joint venture, net of taxes of $87 for 2011, $39 for 2010 and $102 for 2009	(154)			(154)		(154)
Exercise of stock options tax benefit of $634 for 2011, $204 for 2010 and no related tax benefit for 2009 (in shares)		11,858
Exercise of stock options tax benefit of $634 for 2011, $204 for 2010 and no related tax benefit for 2009	241	6	235			241
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		26,636
Restricted stock issuance		13	(13)
Stock compensation	3,557		3,557			3,557
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)		(5,836)
Shares withheld for taxes	(146)	(3)	(143)			(146)
Noncontrolling interest	40,210						40,210
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	214,381	8,509	126,829	(2,151)	41,040	174,227	40,154
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		17,019,428
Net income (loss)	3,959				4,175	4,175	(216)
Changes in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $33 for 2011, $1 for 2010 and $746 for 2009	(2)			(2)		(2)
Benefit plan adjustments, net of taxes of $1,026 for 2011, $206 for 2010 and $179 for 2009	(299)			(299)		(299)
SERP liability adjustment, net of taxes $727 for 2011, $248 for 2010 and $44 for 2009	330			330		330
Equity in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated joint venture, net of taxes of $87 for 2011, $39 for 2010 and $102 for 2009	(69)			(69)		(69)
Rights Offering, net expenses (in shares)		2,608,735
Rights Offering, net expenses	59,760	1,306	58,454			59,760
Exercise of stock options tax benefit of $634 for 2011, $204 for 2010 and no related tax benefit for 2009 (in shares)		78,894
Exercise of stock options tax benefit of $634 for 2011, $204 for 2010 and no related tax benefit for 2009	1,999	39	1,960			1,999
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		56,131
Restricted stock issuance		28	(28)
Stock compensation	(2,944)		(2,944)			(2,944)
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)		(15,718)
Shares withheld for taxes	(463)	(8)	(455)			(463)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	276,652	9,874	183,816	(2,191)	45,215	236,714	39,938
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		19,747,470
Net income (loss)	15,781				15,894	15,894	(113)
Changes in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $33 for 2011, $1 for 2010 and $746 for 2009	(49)			(49)		(49)
Benefit plan adjustments, net of taxes of $1,026 for 2011, $206 for 2010 and $179 for 2009	(1,548)			(1,548)		(1,548)
SERP liability adjustment, net of taxes $727 for 2011, $248 for 2010 and $44 for 2009	(1,098)			(1,098)		(1,098)
Equity in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated joint venture, net of taxes of $87 for 2011, $39 for 2010 and $102 for 2009	130			130		130
Exercise of stock options tax benefit of $634 for 2011, $204 for 2010 and no related tax benefit for 2009 (in shares)		205,165
Exercise of stock options tax benefit of $634 for 2011, $204 for 2010 and no related tax benefit for 2009	5,876	103	5,773			5,876
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)		52,069
Restricted stock issuance		26	(26)
Stock compensation	5,507		5,507			5,507
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares)		(28,998)
Shares withheld for taxes	(812)	(15)	(797)			(812)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 300,439	$ 9,988	$ 194,273	$ (4,756)	$ 61,109	$ 260,614	$ 39,825
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		19,975,706